PLENARY 3: From Concept to Community: Dual-Use Solar for Resilient Rural Economies
Agrivoltaics has sparked both excitement and debate as solar expands into working lands. Through the lens of the InSPIRE project’s ten-year journey, this talk reframes “agrivoltaics” not as a buzzword but as a practical model for strengthening rural economies and preserving agricultural identity. Drawing from real-world examples across the U.S. and internationally, we explore how thoughtful solar design supports agricultural productivity, pollinator habitat, and rural employment. The discussion centers on data-driven insights, policy evolution, and the collaborative partnerships that have enabled local solutions to scale. Ultimately, the story of agrivoltaics is one of coexistence — energy and agriculture working side by side to power communities and sustain the landscapes that define them.
Speakers
Silvana Ovaitt
Silvana Ovaitt is a research scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the Field Performance and Reliability Group. Her work focuses on bifacial photovoltaic (PV) technology, including optical and electrical performance and modeling of bifacial systems, as well as circular economy analysis to quantify the impacts of PV supply chain decisions. She leads the Hands-on PV Experience (HOPE) Workshop, providing PhD students with practical training in PV technologies at NREL, and helps organize the international bifiPV workshop. She also contributes to the US representation to the International Energy Agency’s PVPS Task 13, where she works on agrivoltaics and high-latitude PV performance. She is the recipient of the 2024 Star Award from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the 2024 Powermark Prize in PV Reliability for Early Career. She holds a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering and an MS in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona, as well as an MS in Creative Writing, which complements her technical work with science communication and outreach.